(TRENTON) – When New Jersey residents hear the phrase “Jersey
Fresh,” they might think of the state’s
locally grown fruits and vegetables. Now, the Department
of Agriculture has expanded the Jersey Fresh program
to also include wines made with fruit produced
in the Garden State.

A rule adopted by the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture this fall set new
standards for peaches, tomatoes, and wine products made from New Jersey grown
grapes and fruit.

“Everyone knows that if they buy Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables, they
have met our quality standards,” said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture
Charles M. Kuperus. “Garden State wine growers now have the same opportunity
to put the Jersey Fresh quality guarantee on bottles of wine, assuring the public
that the ingredients were grown right here in New Jersey using the highest standards.”

The voluntary Jersey Fresh standards would apply to wine products which score
at least a 13 out of 20 in the Quality Wine Alliance program (QWA). The New Jersey
QWA program was started in 1999 and is based on a 20-point wine evaluation scale
that was developed at the University of California-Davis. This evaluation scale
gives points for appearance, color, aroma and bouquet, acesence, total acid,
sugar, body, flavor, astringency and general quality. Wines that meet or exceed
the rigorous review process are awarded the QWA designation.

The rule expanding Jersey Fresh also includes a new premium grade peach and vine-ripened
tomato requirements.

“Jersey Fresh is much more than a branding program,” said Secretary
Kuperus. “Expansion of the nationally respected quality assurance and grading
program assures vine-ripened labeling is true and puts a freshness guarantee
on peaches.”

Under the rule, each pallet of peaches shipped under the “Premium Jersey
Fresh Grade” label must be packed and shipped within seven days of picking,
meet the “US Fancy” grade standards, and undergo a third-party audit
that ensures product traceability, good handling and good agricultural practices.

“No other state has a freshness guarantee for its peaches,” said
Secretary Kuperus. “The new grading system is designed to give New Jersey
growers a competitive advantage. They will be able to command a premium price
for a premium product and ensure consumers will have a quality taste experience.”

The vine-ripened rule ensures that any New Jersey tomato being advertised as
vine-ripened will, indeed, be the freshest, best tasting experience for the consumer.
New Jersey and California are the only states to require that tomatoes advertised
as “vine-ripened” must indeed have ripened on the vine.

“Like many of New Jersey’s agricultural products, the allure for
customers is a true taste experience that comes from the freshness of our produce,” said
Kuperus. “When tomatoes in New Jersey are labeled ‘vine-ripened,’ they
can rest assured they are getting what they pay for.”